Still some issues with hybrid vehicle safety
A Prius before plug-in conversionHybrid cars are not your grandparent's cars. They are different.
Consequently, for instance, if a hybrid passenger is involved in a serious accident requiring a forced removal of passengers, such as via the jaws of life, it will probably take longer for emergency personal to free hybrid passengers compared to those in conventional vehicles.
Inevitably, ensuring that the battery of these vehicles is off is critical to the safety of both passengers and emergency workers.
Unfortunately, according to an interesting MSNBC report, disabling the batteries of hybrids doesn't just very by brand, but even by model - creating confusion for emergency workers that could, in a worst case scenario, mean the difference between life and death.
Certainly, at least in my opinion, this is no reason to forgo a hybrid purchase. However, hopefully, automakers will soon come together to standardize better basic safety guidelines for battery powered vehicles.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
1:29 PM
8 Comments:
No way of doing it soon. Driving for the future has its own risks.
something as simple as standardized color coding could have a huge impact.
perhaps the government should set the standard as a condition of all plug-in hybrid tax credits?
Yep, all hybrids must be red. I am glad that you discussed this issue though it would thwart many hybrid buyers. For me, it is a good reminder to drive cautiously. Unfortunately, you are not bulletproof: idiots, blown up tires and other that is almost impossible to predict and prevent.
There are now almost 2 million hybrid vehicles on the world's roads and I don't think there is one confirmed case of this happening.
Still, if hybrids and EVs are going to gain 20 percent share or more in the next decade, the odds only increase that such accidents will happen.
Why not nip it in the bud now?
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I agree that government should set some standards on wire colors, easy accessible "shut down" handle and so on. I am just making a point that color coding is a broad definition: you are certainly not going to paint every hybrid using the same color. However, additional emblems, marks will help.
And that's what I mean. Obviously, you can't take all risk out of everything, but a few simple standardizations seem in order.
And as far as hybrid branding, i think automakers are already doing enough. Really you're talking about 2 or 3 electrical system pieces that should just all be the same color across the industry.
FYI there are already international standards for high voltage connections in vehicles "ORANGE" additionally all currently produced hybrid models use "twin systems" low voltage 12V and isolated high voltage systems. high voltage is controlled by low voltage system. if low voltage system is disabled high voltage system doesn't work! So if first responders just continue to do what they normally do (cut 12V system) and use same cautions for spills and hazardous materials, like any vehicle, all will continue to be fine!
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